In my current stage of life as I’m beginning a new job and raising two littles, I long for escape when I pick up a book. I want to be swept away to a world much different than my own. I want feel-good, stress-free books, and plenty of happy endings. I want my imagination to buzz with vivid imagery. For these reasons, my primary genres are romantic fiction and fantasy. However, every few months or so when I decide to read a work of nonfiction (beyond personal essays, biographies, and memoir), I am always pleasantly surprised. In fact, some of the most memorable books I have ever read belong to the self-help, how to, science, or spirituality genres of nonfiction.
Take, for example, James Nestor’s book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, which discusses the benefits of breathing in and out through the nose at a rhythm of 5.5 seconds per inhale and 5.5 seconds per exhale. As a result of his research, Nestor discovered that this breathing technique, which amounts to about 5.5 breaths per minute, can have profound effects on both physical and mental well-being.
From Lyanda Lynn Haupt's book Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit, I learned about the interconnectedness of all trees—the "Wood Wide Web"—and the ways that we, as humans, are in relationship with the natural world. I can’t hike through the woods without thinking of this underground web of connectivity, and realizing that I, too, am a part of it.
In Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, one of the lessons we learn about trees is the understanding that they are not just isolated, inanimate objects, but rather living beings with their own intelligence and relationships.
As a young woman in my twenties, I remember reading Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés while I was solo travelling throughout Spain. I remember feeling profoundly encouraged and inspired to tap into my creativity, embrace my intuition, and appreciate the power of storytelling. This book is on my list to read again in my thirties, and in each subsequent decade of my life.
And now, as I’m reading Daniel Pink's book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, I am learning about the importance of taking breaks, and all sorts of helpful tips for maximizing productivity and creativity.
The thing about nonfiction is that it has the potential to alter the way we live. Of course, great fiction or fantasy, or any genre for that matter, has the potential to do this as well, but there’s something about nonfiction that stays with us. Instead of speaking about a far off world, nonfiction speaks about this one. Instead of getting to know a character, nonfiction requires we get to know ourselves.
According to my reading stats for the year, 23% of the books I’ve read have been nonfiction (including personal essays and memoirs). This statistic shows that while nonfiction is not my predominant genre, it is still an impactful one. For this reason alone, I make it a point to pick up a work of nonfiction every few months or so. I love learning from nonfiction in ways that aren’t as possible with fiction.
While nonfiction lends itself to knowledge and learning, fiction lends itself to imagination and creativity. While nonfiction lends itself to personal and/or professional development, fiction lends itself to empathy and understanding the world and others around us. And lastly, while nonfiction lends itself to critical thinking and informed decision-making, fiction provides an escape from critical thinking, allowing readers to destress and relax.
Considering all of this, perhaps the most powerful combination of reading is a mix of both fiction and nonfiction because of the way these genres so naturally complement each other. And no matter what genre you do or don’t like, you are gleaning so many benefits just by picking up a book and sitting down to read. Happy reading!
コメント